Once Upon a Recipe

Today seems like the perfect day to share a "Once Upon a Time" Recipe. Why? Well, I have no wedding pictures yet (my camera bit the dust just as we arrived in Georgia) and it's a rainy day outside and I'm thinkin' hum...baked macaroni and cheese.

This is one of those recipes a family acquires but is never sure where it came from because it's been used for years. I started making this when we lived in Burlingame, California (just south of San Francisco) nearly 35 years ago. I have no idea how I got the recipe, I just know a week seldom went by without making it. Now it's the "Mother-In-Law" recipe. You know "The One Your Husband Asks You To Make Because His Mother Made It This Way" Recipe? So without further ado, here it is.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

1 stick of margarine/butter
4 cups macaroni, uncooked
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups grated Colby cheese/favorite cheese
5 cups milk
1 package smoky links

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9" x 13" baking dish melt margarine/butter in the oven. Add macaroni with salt and pepper to the baking dish and coat with margarine. Evenly distribute macaroni mix and top evenly with grated cheese (I sometimes use more that 2 cups). Cover mixture with milk. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and top with smoky links. Return to oven and bake another 15 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes before serving.

I usually serve it with french cut green beans, and the kids always like to put ketchup on it and the "links."

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Please join the fun. Share your family recipe and memories surrounding it. Make your comments here and then go to Mr. Linky so we can visit and share your recipe. Who knows your recipe might start a new holiday tradition at someone else's holiday gathering.

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Thanks be to God!

Bad Haiku Festival

I always have fun with this. This year I'll not be able to read all the entries until much after this day. For as you are reading this I am preparing for the rehearsal dinner for Jimmy and Kelly. The wedding is the twelfth. So you all have a grand time and I'll catch up next week.

I have two entries. Probably as a result of the dinner preparations. So here goes.

Love to bake cookies
The bread and pumpkin pies
Oh, what an aroma!

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When the fire dies out
And the embers don't glimmer
What to do with the ash?

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Thanks be to God!

Be sure to visit Catholic Teacher Musings to read the other entries or better yet, join in the fun!!!!

Wisdom of G. K. Chesterton

Homeless in Our Homes

The Christmas season is domestic; and for that reason most people now prepare for it by struggling in tramcars, standing in queues, and rushing away in trains, crowding despairingly into teashops, and wondering when or whether they will ever get home. I do not know whether some of them disappear forever in the toy department or simply lie down and die in the tea-rooms; but by the look of them it is quite likely. Just before the great festival of the home the whole population seems to have become homeless. [The Thing: Why I am a Catholic]

Returning and Rest

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel;
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength
But you refused and said,
"No! We will flee upon horses"--
therefore you shall flee!
and, "W will ride upon swift steeds"--
therefore your pursuers shall be swift!
A thousand shall flee at the threat of one,
at the threat of five you shall flee,
until you are left
life a flagstaff on the top of a mountain,
like a signal on a hill.

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isaiah 30: 15-18

Prayer

Lord, rescue us from getting sucked into the cyclone of commercialized Christmas this year. Help! Save us! Help us commit more earnestly to times of prayer, worship, silence, and reflection. Convince us to trad commotion for community and frenzy for friends. Show us what it takes to become more genuinely human that we might recognize You within us and your face in the face of others.

Advent Action

Be radical: stay home this year. Look at your calendar early and block out segments of sanity. When someone asks or makes demands on your time, simply reply, "I'm sorry, but we/I have something already scheduled." Just say no. Remember if this holy season turnout as crazy as previous years, it was at least partly your choice. Determine, instead, to be co-partners with God in writing your own future. If you want to be even more radical, unplug. Block out days, or parts of days, where you fast from electronics: no television or DVDs; no music or radio; no computer. Instead, talk, play games, cook, do crafts exercise, read, pray. (Advent and Christmas, Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton)

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I have to say when I first read this reflection I thought it was humerous, though after I read it the second time, I'm sure it was not meant to be! It is a perfect lesson on how I behave during this time of the year! I was looking in the mirror when I read it the third time. I resolved to do something about it. There is still time!

Though, at times, I am at the mercy of others, I still have the right and privilege of controling the majority of my time. So I have resolved to do something about this. My time is precious. My life is precious. My well-being is precious. Why? Because God created me in love. It is time I "loved" me by taking care of what God so wonderfully created!!! So in "fasting." I will find joy, because I have CHOSEN this time for me and Him! What's more, I'm going try and find The Thing: Why I am A Catholic. It is probably a book from which I can learn a great deal more about ME!

Wishing all a glorious fast!

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Thanks be to God!

Lesson Well Learned

It's been a long time since I've reflected on the words of Amy Welborn in her Catholic Woman's Book of Days. As I read today's reflection I thought how appropriate it is that I am reading this today! Tomorrow we leave for Atlanta for the wedding of Jimmy and Kelly. I have gifts wrapped to deliver to those unable to share Christmas with us this year. I have boxes and boxes of decorations, food, dishes, et. al. I have cheese balls to make and pies to fix...My head is in a spin and I've totally lost my appetite! (This happens when I am stressed.) So here is the lesson offered me!

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The
Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends
of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His
understanding is unsearchable. He give power to
the faint, and strengthens the powerless.
~Isaiah 40: 28-29~
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This time of year can be exhausting, especially for the lone ranger like me, who, in her heart, doesn't' thing that anyone else can really do anything right and has some sort of weird pride in pulling celebrations together solely on her own power.

How silly. How prideful. How exhausting.

It's not just true of holiday doings; it's true for the rest of life. Asking for help isn't on anyone's list of sins, as far as I know while pride is on the top of most of them.

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Lord, there are part of my life in which I need help.
Dispel my pride, and strengthen me to see help when I need it.

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So there you have it in a nutshell! This is me and I must stop making myself sick by thinking I can do this and pull it off! Silly me!!!!! You know she's right! It is exhausting when I am prideful...So, there will be help for me on Friday when I am setting up for the rehearsal dinner. I will take suggestions and gladly accept them. Yes, indeed!!!!! I will not allow my pride to ruin a perfectly wonderful day!!!!! God will provide! It's time I started acting like I believe that. Don't you think?

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Thanks be to God!!!!!

Praise God!

There is never a time when praising God is not appropriate. At Mass yesterday I was touched by the reading from the Prophet Baruch. It suddenly stuck me how important it is to CELEBRATE, PRAISE GOD!

Jerusalem! take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever; wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor; you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God's worship. Baruch 5:1-9

It was one of those moments when, though I have heard this reading many time, I got it!!! "Cathy!!!" it said, "wake up!!! Joy is yours!" It filled me with satisfaction, again, knowing that God is with me! Alleluia!!!

Then, last night at the Christmas Concert at church given by John Angotti, he sang Mary Did You Know and again I took comfort and solace in knowing that the Mother of God didn't have to know all to say, "Yes." I don't have to know all either! I just have to love God and follow His son, Jesus. Yes, indeed I must LOVE God with all my heart, my soul and all my being. That alone is all important. And, yes, all will be taken care of!

Wishing you all a grand day!!! May God wrap you in his warm embrace and carry you on!

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Thanks be to God!

Wisdom of G. K. Chesterton

Appreciation

The aim of life is appreciation; there is no sense in not appreciating things; and there is no sense in having more of them if you have less appreciation of them.

~Autobiography~

LEARNING CONTENTMENT
I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
~Philippians 4:11b-13~

PRAYER
Lord, may we learn what it means to appreciate what we do have instead of constantly stewing over what we do not have. Teach us this sacred of contentment that Chesterton and the Apostle Paul knew so well.

ADVENT ACTION
Find an ordinary object that you already own and truly value. The object may be as commonplace as an handbag, or pair of boots, as homey as a basket or bowl, as symbolic as a book or soccer ball. Place this object as the centerpiece on your table or in a prominent place where you will notice it frequently. Each time it comes to your attention consider a new way of appreciating it, thanking God for its qualities and the joy it brings you.
(Advent and Christmas--Wisdom From G. K. Chesterton, edited by The Center for the Study of C. S. Lewis and Friends)

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You know I think I'm getting the hang of it. I'm certainly not consistent but I do find myself being grateful for the little things and not wishing to acquire what others have.

As a matter of fact just the other day I had seen some new Vera Bradley bags carried by some friends. I am so fond of the one I have that I really have no intention of buying another pattern. The pattern I have is retired now and so I will have to tend to it carefully. I really don't care if I have another. Vera Bradley probably doesn't want to know that but really contentment with and appreciation of what we have is a wonderful feeling. That bag also brings back treasured memories of family outings and, especially, shopping trips with the Girls.

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Thanks be to God!!!

Bad Haiku Friday

The holiday's here
Boxes are everywhere
Now who will wrap them?

I do love to wrap Christmas gifts. But I like to take my time. This year I am under the wire. Next weekend is wedding day for Jimmy and Kelly and 2/5 of the family's gifts have to be wrapped so we can deliver them at that time. Whew! I had better get started!!! This weekend is now designated as "Wrapping Weekend!"

Have a grand weekend!!!

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Thanks be to God!!!

The History of Advent

I'm never too old to learn something new or relearn something I had forgotten. I hope this is true for you, too. It's good to understand that I don't "know it all!" Here is my offering today!

This History of Advent

In the early Church, four different "comings" or manifestations of the Lord were celebrated all as one feast on January 6: his birth, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his miracle at Cana. The feast was named "Epiphany"--a Greek word meaning "showing manifestation". Epiphany became, along with Easter, a traditional date for baptisms. Just as the baptisms at Easter were prepared for by a time of fasting and penance (Lent), so the baptisms were prepared for by a time of fasting and penance called "Advent" (from a Latin word meaning "coming").

Gradually, in may places, Christ's birth was given his own feast day on December 25, and the season of Advent shifted to a time of preparation for this feast.

Over the years, Advent became less and less a carbon copy of Lent (fasting and penance) and more a time of prayer and reflection to appreciate the meaning of Christ's coming at Bethlehem, and his coming at the end of time.

The symbols of this season had be come the Advent wreath, with the successive lighting of its four candles on each of the four Sundays--a sigh of the approach of the birth of the Light of the World. ~The Little Blue Book, Advent and Christmas Seasons, 2009-2010

I remember that time when Advent was a season of preparation by fasting and prayer. My family did not decorate until 10 days before Christmas and even though my birthday is during December a quiet celebration of the day was offered. When my sister got married on December 22, I remember that permission had to be obtained from the Bishop. It was a time for reflection on the real Reason for the Season at my house.

No I was never numbed by the glitz of the holiday because there really wasn't any and so when the day arrived there really was a sense of joy and jubilation!!!

Wishing you all a grand day!

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Thanks be to God!!

The First Christmas Club

Citizens Loan & Savings Company Certificate
Originally uploaded by London Tom

How do you pay for all the expenses of Christmas--the gift-giving, meals, and other expenses?

In 1909, Merkel Landis of the Carlisle Trust Company in Pennsylvania came up with the idea of a Christmas Club account.

The Christmas clubs were built on the concept that if people put the money into their regular accounts, and it was accessible to them, they would spend it and have nothing left for Christmas.

The idea of a special account available only for the holidays seemed sound, and Christmas Clubs grew in popularity especially during the Great Depression of the 1030's. ~The Little Blue Book, Advent and Christmas, 2009-2010

I remember having Christmas Club accounts and being so grateful in November to have put that money aside. It was easy enough to contribute. Every week I put in the same amount. It was an anticipated expense with rewards at the end.

We have a built in Christmas Club, to which we can contribute every day of every week every year. It doesn't require going to the bank, depositing on-line or keeping track of the weeks. We have a soul that is a vault in which we can save the graces we attain when we set aside time to be with Jesus, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or visit the sick.

What about the time we spend in front of the TV? Often wasted time. There is nothing to be gained there. And as Ron always says, "Zero times anything is still ZERO." So spend some time today considering that "Christmas Club" of the Soul. How do your deposits look? Then take some time with the "Head of the Savings and Loan" to work out a savings plan!

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Thanks be to God!!!

Picture originally uploaded by London Tom

Wisdom of G. K. Chesterton

Every year I take it out again and start all over. This is a good thing. There are some traditions that are new. This one started 3 years ago when my dear friend Martha gave me the book, Advent and Christmas, Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton, edited by The Center for the Study of C. S. Lewis and Friends and published by Liguori Press. Over the years I think we've forgotten that preparation for Christmas is a time for serious reflection on the life of Christ and how our journey with Him is progressing. We are so bedazzled by the glitz of the season and all that it entails that we forget that this is the beginning of our salvation history in Christ Jesus. Today I would offer this for reflection.

The Gift of Hope

It is currently said that hope goes with youth, and lends to youth its wings of a butterfly; but I fancy that hope is the last gift given to man, and the only gift not given to youth. Youth is pre-eminently the period in which a man can be lyric, fanatical, poetic, but youth is the period in which a man can be hopeless. the end of every episode is the end of the world. But the power of hoping through everything, the knowledge that the soul survives its adventures, that great inspiration comes to the middle-aged; God has kept that good wine until now. It is from the backs of the elderly gentlemen that the wings of the butterfly should burst.

Charles Dickens: Last of the Great Men

Hope in the Gospel
In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for your in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. ~Colossians 1:3-6

Prayer
God of hop, Give of hope, help us in our hopeless moments. Turn our hearts and minds to promise of the gospel, to your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith in what we have heard. Especially in our troubles, remind us of our true home with you in heaven. Help us to hope for eternal life with you.

Advent Action
Make a list of the things you are currently hoping for. This may include advancement in your career, the success of an important relationship, the completion of a project, or any number of things. When you have finished the list, look over it. Circle one item and say a brief prayer for God's help in bringing this about. If praying feels uncomfortable, consider whether the time you have chosen is something you should hope for. Ask God for clarity. Resolve to hope for those things that bring you closest to God.

And so it is that I begin, again, to hope that this season will bring me a new awareness of my role in the work of salvation? I will make that list. I will circle the one that I hope can be accomplished. Then I will pray that, by the grace of Almighty God, it can be accomplished.

What is your hope today?

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Thanks be to God!!!